The trial of seven youths and one adult man in connection with the death of a football linesman will be held in public, judges in Lelystad decided on Monday.

Lawyers for the defendants had called for the trial, due to start later this year, to be held behind closed doors because of the suspects’ age.

But the judges said the public interest in the case is so great the press should be permitted to attend.

Closed session

All seven youths are under the age of 18 and one is just 15. In the Netherlands it is customary for trials involving juveniles to be held in closed session. The other defendant is a 51-year-old man and father of one of the boys.

The decision to hold an open trial was taken at a preliminary hearing ahead of the main case which is likely to be held in May.

All eight are accused of the manslaughter of 41-year-old Richard Nieuwenhuizen, who was attacked by players from an Amsterdam youth team after a match last year.